Girl Scouts of the USA and Dell Introduce Be the Video Game Developer

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has received a
two-year, $600,000 grant for its Journey and Connect Through Technology program
from the Dell Powering the Possible Youth Learning Initiative and is now
releasing Be the Video Game Developer,
an interactive experience that puts girls in the driver’s seat of video game development.

Through Be
the Video Game Developer, girls consider what they would like to see in
video games and make selections accordingly—choosing avatars, storylines, and
other video game features. They learn ideation, critical thinking, and teamwork
skills to help them feel like creators in the game design process. Girl Scouts
and Dell believe that Be the Video Game Developer
will encourage girls to consider careers in science, technology, engineering,
and math by exposing them to the exciting world of video game development. The program builds on
Dell’s commitment to personalized
learning for all students to help them to realize their academic goals.

Trisa Thompson, vice president of corporate responsibility,
said, “Our partnership with Girl Scouts highlights our commitment to truly ‘powering
the possible’ so that girls can succeed in school, work, and life. We believe
that Be the Video Game Developer will
empower and provide unique opportunities for girls to acquire knowledge and
skills to utilize in future STEM careers.”

"We are thrilled to partner with Dell to
bring girls a unique and exciting opportunity to design and create their own
video game experience," said Anna Maria Chávez, chief executive officer
of Girl Scouts of the USA. "Today’s girls are digital natives, as
comfortable in front of computer screens and smartphones as adults. Be the Video Game Developer lets girls
delve deeper into the world of technology, learning vital new skills and
discovering their own creativity in a manner both engaging and interactive. As
we face a future of ever-expanding opportunity in science and technology, Girl
Scouts and Dell are partnering to create a girl-led learning experience that
will drive more girls into these groundbreaking new fields.”

On September 18, 2013, GSUSA and Dell will
convene a think tank on innovation in today’s gaming industry as it pertains to
girls, and the key skills
girls need exposure to in order to succeed. At Game On: Girls and Technology, a live
audience will be treated to an exciting think-tank session of industry insiders
and girls discussing the past, present, and future of video games and girls.

There will also be a live, interactive demonstration
of Be the Video Game Developer, during
which girls and audience members will contemplate what they would like to see
in video games and make selections accordingly—choosing avatars, storylines,
and other video game features.

Be the Video Game Developer is part of GSUSA’s Journey and Connect Through Technology program,
and plays an essential role in introducing girls to ICT concepts and helping
them gain skills that promote critical thinking.

Dell has been involved with Girl Scouts for more
than 10 years and has worked extensively with the five Girl Scout councils that
will receive the game upon launch. Dell team members have provided valuable mentorship,
volunteering their time and expertise to these councils, which include Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Girl Scouts of
Middle Tennessee, Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital, Girl Scouts of Northern
California, and Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma.

GSUSA is the only organization, out of 50
charities managing 34 programs, to receive a two-year commitment from the Dell
Powering the Possible Youth Learning Initiative. The initiative provides $2.4
million to charities nationwide.